Chapter 23 - Protection

Astoria's POV

This bastard!

How dare they speak obscenely about the empress without even thinking of the consequences?! As expected of Barbarians! They lack the manners needed to live among other humans!

"You'll regret this, woman. Don't you know who I am?!" I grabbed my sword handle before stabbing the barbarians who speak ill of my lover.

"That move! It's the devil of the North. I've seen her before! She's the monster killer who protected the Northern borders from monsters! What is she doing here?! Inform the king!" The king? Will I get into trouble with the empress?

But I can't simply let these people treat my lover as a mere object. They deserve to die!

"Die!" I continue to run amok as the barbarians tried to stop me. I've kill a few of their brethren and yet they are persistent!

"Astoria!" I heard Adelaide's voice calling for me. When I turned to where she is, a man who looks like the king stood besides her.

"Sister! What is the meaning of this?! How could you let your knight kill my warriors?!" The man spoke. Adelaide smiled at me before telling me to keep my sword. I did as told before making my way to her.

"What happened?" Adelaide asked.

"They were sexualising you and continue to do so when I told them to stop. I did what I had to do. Your honor are being tarnished by these barbarians. They are far from warriors. Warriors would be able to surpassed the demons. And yet they let the people of the desert died in vain." Adelaide smiled yet again.

"I figure you are done with your investigation?" I nodded.

"These barbarians are feeding the demons by throwing the people's corpses into their den. I asked multiple people from the villages and they all said the same thing. It seems the king and the warrior he praise has gone mad by sacrificing its own people." I stare at the king.

"How dare you slander me! What kind of proof do you have to say suxh things?! The villagers are lying to you! Why would I side with the demons who destroyed my land!"

Adelaide face the king.

"Because of greed. You were so greedy that you even go as far as to sacrificing your people to the demon so you could get your cut on the resources available at the demon's territory. Am I right, brother dearest?" The king was speechless.

"Isn't that why you decided to imprison your older brother? Because he found out that you have been contacted the demons. While the villagers and the people suffer, you and your nobles are swimming in riches. How unfair must the people felt?" Adelaide poke on the king's chest and said,

"You let your warriors kill anyone who tried to go against you. You even kidnapped young women and offered them to the demons so they could used them as breeders. Did you really think I wouldn't find out, brother?" Adelaide chuckled when the king takes a step back.

"Just because you're my brother in law, that doesn't mean you're safe from the law. If you want to survive, I suggest that you abdicate the throne and divorce my sister. She had suffered enough." The king shake his head no.

"No! I will never abdicate my throne! Never!" Adelaide sighed before she took the king's crown and ask me to hold him down.

"I'm not sure if your predecessor had told you but the emperor and empress has power to abdicate the king of all allied kingdoms. It was a special law I personally made so no one could go against the empire's decision. Khalid, you will be arrested for colluding with the demon. Your title as king will be revoke by the power that was bestowed to me as empress. Take him to the dungeon."

I watched as the former king are being dragged to the dungeon together with his warriors.

"Astoria, kill all the remaining barbarians outside of the palace." I nodded before getting my knights together and move out.

A few days later,

Seraphina is Adelaide little sister. Since the king was arrested and was force to abdicate the throne, Adelaide suggested that she divorce the former king and come back to their family home in the empire.

"I wonder if my son would like it in the empire instead of here." Seraphina asked while enjoying her tea.

"Is it alright for me to speak in truth?" Seraphina nodded.

"You're a countess. I am the former queen. According to the ranks, I am just a lady now. So yes, you may speak in truth." I feel bad to say this but she asked for my opinion.

"Do you think it's unfair for your son if she went back to the empire? He is the only heir to the throne now. Even if his uncle become the next king, he is the former king's first born son. So, would it be right for you and your son to remain here? What if the rest of the consorts usurp your son's right to rule this kingdom?" Seraphina hummed.

"But my son is still young and he has no idea what he wants for his future. If I remain here, the elders will take advantage of him. But if I leave, he will lost the privilege of being the firstborn son. Should I just marry my ex husband's brother?" I- I didn't meant it that way though.

"You may marry him if you want. But is that really what you want, Sera?" Adelaide suddenly appeared before us.

"You reek of blood, sister. What did you do to Khalid?" Adelaide smiled while wiping her hand with a piece of cloth.

"I taught him the Hawthorne way of dealing with people. Anyway, you don't have to worry about him anymore. And I manage to get his signature for the divorce papers. Everything should be alright now. I'll ask the emperor to deal with the aftermath while I focus on taking the kingdom's resources."

The sisters were happily converse to each other when we heard the castle bells started ringing.

"Demons are attacking. The bell only rang if things are in dire situation. What should we do? The warriors usually the one who go and exterminate the demons. The palace guards were not trained enough to handle this situation. The mercenaries will not take action if they are not getting any money for their trouble."

Adelaide turned to me with a smile.

"Will you be handle it, honey?" Honey?! Why would- ah, I get it now. She's trying to seduce me so I could take care of the demons.

"Of course. I'll be back soon." Adelaide smiled. As I was about to leave, she grabbed my hand and ask me to come closer. She gave me a little peck on the cheek and whispered,

"Come back soon. I'll be waiting while wearing the new lingerie I brought here."